Price-indicator for gas or fluid meter



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

F. EGNER. Price-Indicator for Gas or Fluid Meters. NO. 226,292.

Patented Awil 6,1880;

file

N. PETERS. PNOTO-LUHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON, D C.

2Sheets-Sheet 2. P. EGNER. Price-Indicator for Gas orFluid Meters. No. 226,292. Patented April 6,1880.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERIO EGNER, OF NORFOLK, VIRGINIA.

PRICE-INDICATOR FOR GAS OR FLUID METER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 226,292, dated April 6, 1880.

Application filed February 5, 1880.

To all whom tt may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERIG EGNER, of Norfolk, in the State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Meters, of which the following is a specification.

My invention, while adapted for use in connection with any meter for fluids or liquids, has been designed with special reference to gas-meters.

It is my object to provide a cheap, simple, and effective price-imlicator, to be used in connection with the registering-train of an ordinary meter, which will indicate in dollars and cents the amount of money due for gas used during any specified period, which can be readily adjusted independently of the ordinary registering-train, and which can be easily and inexpensively changed to accord with the varying prices at which the gas may be supplied.

The nature of my invention and the manner in which it is or may be carried into effect can best be explained and understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of a portion of the upper part of a meter embodying my invention with the front of the meter-case removed. Fig. 2 is a plan of the meter with cover removed. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the price-indieatin g mechanism and its inclos ing-case with the side of the latter removed or open. Fi 4 is a plan of the lower weighted indicator-roll detached. Fig. 5 is a front view of a portion of the meter.

The gas-meterl is of usual form and construction, and is provided with the ordinary registering mechanism and dials for indicat ing the number of cubic feet of gas consumed.

WVith the hundred pinions Aof the registering mechanism is geared, through toothed wheels B I3 O O, the drum 1), which carries an endless band or strip, f, of paper or other material, on which is printed a scale of prices of gas from one hundred cubic feet upward, according to the prices at which the gas is sold. The band extends between this drum above and the loose tension-roller E below, these parts being inclosed in a case, N, soldered or otherwise affixed to the meter-case.

In the case N is a sight-hole or displayopening, g, opposite which the figures printed on the band are successively brought as the band is moved along by the revolving drum D. The opening g should be glazed to prevent the band from being tampered with.

The tension-roller E is mounted in a yokelike frame, F, and the weight of these parts should be sufficient to 'keep the band under tension.

Frame F straddles an upright fork or guiderod, or, on which it slides loosely, so as to admit of the band f being of varying lengths without interfering with the usefulness of the machine.

The moving parts of the mechanism revolve in proper bearings c.

The mode of operation is as follows: VVhenever the meter is set or the statement of the ordinary index is taken, the starting-point of the band fis brought opposite to the sighthole The starting-point of the band is zero,

- (indicated by a blank space.) Then, as the regular indicating mechanism revolves it imparts motion from pinion A, through wheels B B O O, to drum D, and thus to band f.

WVhen it is desired to bring the band back to the starting-point, a door in the side of the case, of which the meter-inspector should have the key, may be opened, and the band can then be easily pulled back to its original position. So, also, should the scale of prices at which the gas is sold be changed, and if it be desired to change the band already in use for another with new prices on it, this may easily be done by slacking or loosening the center screw, b, which will permit the drum and tension-roller to be taken out, and the band be replaced by another.

\Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The herein-described price-indicating attachment for meters, eonsistin g of the drum, the tension-roller, and the price-band, mounted and arranged within a case attached to or formed in one with the meter-case, as herein shown and described, the drum being connected with and receiving motion from the ordinary registering mechanism of the meter.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 28th day of January, 1880.

FREDERIO EGNER.

Witnesses i E. A. DICK,

SAML. B. Roman. 

